Cowgirls ready for contest

Friday, April 17, 2009
Kelcia Kugler and Sarah Krause are ready to compete in the Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo next weekend. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

Two McCook High School seniors will be among the 250-or-so competitors in the Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo events Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 24, 25 and 26 at the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County fairgrounds in McCook.

Sarah Krause, the daughter of Tempie and Tim Krause, and Kelcia Kugler, the daughter of Dianne and Mike Kugler, will compete with other cowgirls and cowboys for points to qualify for the state high school rodeo finals, or, ultimately, the nationals.

The Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo has been in Imperial for 22 years, but this year it moves to the Kiplinger. The McCook rodeo is the first rodeo of the spring season for members of the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association, and it will be the only rodeo in the 16-rodeo spring/summer circuit in an indoor arena.

Because it'll be inside, the rodeo will go on, "rain or shine, snow or mud," said Dianne Kugler, Kelcia's mother and one of the many volunteers it takes to coordinate and conduct the rodeo.

There are 12 events: Girls' and boys' cutting, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, goat-tying, team roping, poles and barrels, steer wrestling, saddle broncs and barebacks and bull-riding.

First-place winners and all-around cowboy and cowgirl receive belt buckles. Second, third and fourth place are paid $50, $35 and $25. The top 10 in each event accumulate points toward state finals.

The public is invited to watch. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Cutting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Rodeo events start at 9 a.m. Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Sarah is an 18-year-old senior who has been riding horses since she was eight years old. At the rodeo in McCook, she'll compete in the barrels on an 11-year-old Quarter Horse named Lady and in the poles on a five-year-old Quarter Horse named Josey. After 11 rodeos in the fall circuit, Sarah stands fourth in barrel racing, 12th in girls' cutting and 13th in all-around.

Sarah plans to attend McCook Community College, studying to become a paramedic and a firefighter.

Kelcia will also graduate in May, and plans to attend Colorado State University, studying equine science and business. She's eligible to compete with the university's rodeo team, and plans to take her barrel horse, "Dallas," a nine-year-old Paint, with her.

Kelcia's been riding for seven years, since she was 10. At the McCook rodeo, Kelcia will compete in barrels on Dallas, and in breakaway roping on Riley, an 18-year-old black Quarter Horse mare.

Both girls say they've thoroughly enjoyed their high school rodeo careers, despite the long drives and sometimes primitive camping accommodations.

They would definitely encourage other high school kids to become members of the state high school rodeo association. For more information, contact the association secretary Becky Dailey of Arnold, (308) 848-2664.

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